Ottawa’s Kichesippi Beer Co. closing in March

After nearly 16 years of operation, a local brewery in Ottawa will soon be serving its last pint. CTV’s Natalie van Rooy reports.

Kichesippi Beer Co., a local Ottawa brewery, will be shutting its doors for good next month.

According to a statement posted on the company’s website, the final day of service for the brewery on Robertson Road will be Friday, March 6.

“The brewery is currently operating at a loss and has been for some time,” Paul Meek, owner of Kichesippi Beer Co., wrote.

“We are in the awkward position of not having enough money to brew more beer, which results in not having enough beer to make more money.”

Meek said he worked through numerous scenarios to keep the brand afloat but has not been able to “secure long-term viability and profitability” for the company.

“It is hard to properly summarize a proper thank you to everyone in this community who has supported our family business since 2010,” Meek wrote. “I am beyond grateful for everything up to this point, and I know our staff are as well.”

A hub for community

Meek told CTV News that the Bells Corners brewery has become a community gathering place over the years.

“It became that hub. People come in for their birthdays. We’ve hosted weddings here and we’ve hosted celebrations of life,” he said. “It became something that the community was very proud of.”

Ottawa residents Leeann and Mark Kluke say they’re grateful for the memories they’ve had at the brewery.

“This place means everything. It’s like family,” Leann said. “We walk in here and everybody knows our names by the first name, and they know exactly what we like.”

“I enjoyed this place so much that I had my Depart with Dignity from the military here. When I retired, my retirement party was here,” Mark said.

“I would just like to thank Paul and all his staff for all the memories and good times here.”

The bar’s closure has given Meek and the staff at Kichesippi Beer Co. one last look their impact in the community.

“That’s the real sad thing is that I see people coming in for one last time and saying goodbye to the staff,” he said. “It was the impact we had in the community we didn’t see coming.”

Meek says the company has small amounts of cans available for purchase in store, but the brewery’s taproom will continue service with plenty of food and beverage options until its closure on March 6.

With files from CTV’s Natalie van Rooy.

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